Japanese encephalitis in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The Department of Infection and Neurology, Children’s Hospital Number 1, has hospitalized 25 people infected with Japanese encephalitis virus this year. Currently, it is reported that 6 children are in critical condition requiring mechanical ventilation.

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The risk of Japanese encephalitis is very low for most travellers to Asia, particularly for short-term visitors to urban areas. However, the risk varies according to season, destination, duration of travel and activities. Travellers to areas where this virus is circulating can reduce their risk of exposure to Japanese encephalitis virus by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. While vaccination against Japanese encephalitis is generally recommended for travellers visiting rural areas or engaging in agricultural activities such as rice cultivation, some of these agricultural activities where mosquitoes breed may be near or within urban centres.